ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Oct. 1, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QLogic Corp. (Nasdaq:QLGC), a leading supplier of high performance network infrastructure solutions, today announced worldwide availability of its next-generation 10Gb Ethernet (10GbE) adapters to end-users, managed service providers (MSPs) and data center operators through authorized QLogic® channel partners. Previously available only through industry-leading server OEMs, QLogic 3400 Series 10GbE network interface cards (NICs) and 8400 Series converged network adapters (CNAs) offer all the benefits IT professionals expect from the QLogic brand, including industry-leading performance, versatility and proven reliability. QLogic 3400 and 8400 Series adapters will be generally available in early November and are the first products available through the QLogic distribution channel resulting from the acquisition of certain Ethernet controller-related assets from Broadcom.

Based on the same controller already fully qualified and shipping with the world's leading server platforms, the QLogic 3400 Series is a high performance 10GbE NIC with extensive acceleration, I/O virtualization and multi-tenancy features, providing maximum value to IT managers. The QLogic 8400 Series 10GbE CNA builds on QLogic's strong storage networking heritage by offering fully offloaded, concurrent Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) and iSCSI support. Boasting the industry's lowest CPU utilization, the versatile 8400 Series delivers unmatched performance for the most demanding IT workloads. Together, the 3400 Series and 8400 Series offer a comprehensive suite of networking solutions for enterprise and MSP data centers and virtualized infrastructure for public and private cloud deployments.

"Demand for 10GbE adapter solutions continues to rise and QLogic is committed to meeting customer needs with products that provide superior performance and exceptional value," said Vikram Karvat, vice president of marketing, QLogic. "Our acquisition of certain Ethernet controller-related assets from Broadcom has allowed us to significantly enhance our 10GbE portfolio, starting with 3400 Series NICs and 8400 Series CNAs. These products have enjoyed tremendous success with the industry's tier-one server OEMs, and we're excited about collaborating closely with QLogic Signature Partners to bring these solutions to a wider customer base and expand QLogic's brand leadership in 10GbE."

QLogic 10Gb Ethernet: Performance with Flexibility

By delivering wire-speed 10GbE performance with low CPU utilization, QLogic 10GbE adapters excel in modern computing environments. Featuring multi-protocol offload and concurrent LAN (TCP/IP) and SAN (FCoE, iSCSI) traffic processing over a shared 10GbE link, QLogic 10GbE adapters offer maximum flexibility. Ultra-low CPU utilization frees up server cycles for business-critical applications and the increased mobility of virtual machines (VMs). The 8400 Series CNA delivers FCoE performance of up to 2.6 million IOPS and iSCSI performance of up to 1.5 million IOPS.

Channel Partners Embrace QLogic 3400 and 8400 Series

"The QLogic 10GbE technology is a leading-edge solution that addresses some of the most performance-challenged areas of the data center," said Howie Evans, vice president at Dallas Digital, a QLogic Elite Partner. "With this technology, QLogic is empowering traditional enterprises and MSPs to scale their infrastructure through a simplified, scalable and high performance solution. We see additional revenue opportunities from both current customers as well as new prospects looking to take advantage of the latest Ethernet technologies. It's a win-win across the board."

"QLogic has developed outstanding enablement programs so QLogic partners can take full advantage of the opportunities created by introducing next-generation Ethernet technologies," said Jason Cherveny, president and CEO of Sanity Solutions. "Being part of the comprehensive QLogic Signature Partner program is a key aspect to success and helps to enable us to offer a competitive roadmap and evolve with customers as they move to cloud-based solutions. This is a great solution for our customers and generates incremental, long-term revenue opportunities for Sanity Solutions."

Simplified Migration to 10GbE

QLogic 3400/8400 Series adapters feature switch-independent NIC partitioning (NPAR) technology. Designed for both bare-metal and virtual environments, this switch-agnostic approach enables administrators to split up the 10GbE network pipe to divide and reallocate bandwidth and resources at the adapter level, as needed. This reduces implementation time and lowers the total cost of 10GbE migrations.

QLogic 3400 Series NICs and 8400 Series CNAs are offered in multiple configurations to meet a variety of data center requirements. 3400 Series adapters are available in single and dual port configurations with 10GBASET twisted pair, Direct Attach Copper (DAC) and SFP+ SR optical interfaces. 8400 Series adapters are available in dual-port configuration with DAC and SFP+ SR optical interfaces.

QLogic (Nasdaq:QLGC) is a global leader and technology innovator in high performance server and storage networking connectivity products. Leading OEMs and channel partners worldwide rely on QLogic for their server and storage networking solutions. For more information, visit www.qlogic.com.

Disclaimer – Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements relating to future results of the company (including certain beliefs and projections regarding business and market trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. The company advises readers that these potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: potential fluctuations in operating results; gross margins that may vary over time; unfavorable economic conditions; the stock price of the company may be volatile; the company's dependence on the networking markets served; the ability to maintain and gain market or industry acceptance of the company's products; the company's dependence on a small number of customers; the company's ability to compete effectively with other companies; uncertain benefits from strategic business combinations, acquisitions and divestitures; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; the complexity of the company's products; declining average unit sales prices of comparable products; the company's dependence on sole source and limited source suppliers; the company's dependence on relationships with certain third-party subcontractors and contract manufacturers; sales fluctuations arising from customer transitions to new products; seasonal fluctuations and uneven sales patterns in orders from customers; changes in the company's tax provisions or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of its income tax returns; international economic, currency, regulatory, political and other risks; facilities of the company and its suppliers and customers are located in areas subject to natural disasters; the ability to protect proprietary rights; the ability to satisfactorily resolve any infringement claims; a reduction in sales efforts by current distributors; declines in the market value of the company's marketable securities; changes in and compliance with regulations; difficulties in transitioning to smaller geometry process technologies; the use of "open source" software in the company's products; system security risks, data protection breaches and cyber-attacks; and the company's ability to borrow under its credit agreement is subject to certain covenants.

More detailed information on these and additional factors that could affect the company's operating and financial results are described in the company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other reports filed, or to be filed, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company urges all interested parties to read these reports to gain a better understanding of the business and other risks that the company faces. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof, and the company does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

QLogic and the QLogic logo are registered trademarks of QLogic Corporation. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of the companies with which they are associated.